Special
Balanced
85Speed · Above Avg

Is Staryu Good in FireRed & LeafGreen Playthrough?

Status heals automatically when Staryu switches out thanks to AbilityNatural Cure. AbilityIlluminate raises wild encounter rate, which you don't want. Starmie at Water Stone is one of the best Pokemon in FRLG. Staryu is the brief bridge to get there.

StrongGoodEvenToughBadSTEBGGSSGSSGGBrockGym 1MistyGym 2SurgeGym 3ErikaGym 4StaryuCatchableStarmieEvolveKogaGym 5SabrinaGym 6BlaineGym 7GiovanniGym 8LoreleiE4BrunoE4AgathaE4LanceE4TerryChamp*
Brock
Gym 1
Strong

Staryu resists most of Brock's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Geodude
Lv 12
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleDefense Curl
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 14
RockGround
Rock Head
TackleBindRock Tomb
Misty
Gym 2
Tough

Misty's typing presses Staryu's defenses.

Risky
Staryu
Lv 18
Water
Illuminate
TackleHardenRecoverWater Pulse
Avoid
Starmie
Lv 21
WaterPsychic
Illuminate
SwiftRecoverRapid SpinWater Pulse
Lt. Surge
Gym 3
Even

Staryu trades roughly evenly with Lt. Surge's team.

Even
Voltorb
Lv 21
Electric
Soundproof
Sonic BoomTackleScreechShock Wave
Even
Pikachu
Lv 18
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Risky
Raichu
Lv 24
Electric
Static
Quick AttackThunder WaveDouble TeamShock Wave
Erika
Gym 4
Bad

Erika's Pokemon outpace and outclass Staryu here.

Avoid
Victreebel
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Stun SporeAcidPoison PowderGiga Drain
Risky
Tangela
Lv 24
Grass
Chlorophyll
Poison PowderConstrictIngrainGiga Drain
Avoid
Vileplume
Lv 29
GrassPoison
Chlorophyll
Sleep PowderAcidStun SporeGiga Drain
Koga
Gym 5
Good

Starmie has the type edge here and should clean up Koga's team.

You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Muk
Lv 39
Poison
Stench
MinimizeSludgeAcid ArmorToxic
You Win
Koffing
Lv 37
Poison
Levitate
Self DestructSludgeSmokescreenToxic
You Win
Weezing
Lv 43
Poison
Levitate
TackleSludgeSmokescreenToxic
Sabrina
Gym 6
Good

Starmie has the type edge here and should clean up Sabrina's team.

You Win
Kadabra
Lv 38
Psychic
Synchronize
PsybeamReflectFuture SightCalm Mind
You Win
Mr Mime
Lv 37
PsychicFairy
Soundproof
BarrierPsybeamBaton PassCalm Mind
You Win
Venomoth
Lv 38
BugPoison
Shield Dust
PsybeamGustLeech LifeSupersonic
Even
Alakazam
Lv 43
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicRecoverFuture SightCalm Mind
Blaine
Gym 7
Strong

Starmie resists most of Blaine's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Growlithe
Lv 42
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Easy KO
Ponyta
Lv 40
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
Easy KO
Rapidash
Lv 42
Fire
Run Away
StompBounceFire SpinFire Blast
You Win
Arcanine
Lv 47
Fire
Intimidate
BiteRoarTake DownFire Blast
Giovanni
Gym 8
Strong

Starmie resists most of Giovanni's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 45
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Easy KO
Dugtrio
Lv 42
Ground
Sand Veil
SlashSand TombMud SlapEarthquake
Easy KO
Nidoqueen
Lv 44
PoisonGround
Poison Point
Body SlamDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Nidoking
Lv 45
PoisonGround
Poison Point
ThrashDouble KickPoison StingEarthquake
Easy KO
Rhyhorn
Lv 50
GroundRock
Lightning Rod
Take DownRock BlastScary FaceEarthquake
Lorelei
Elite Four
Good

Starmie has the type edge here and should clean up Lorelei's team.

You Win
Dewgong
Lv 52
WaterIce
Thick Fat
Ice BeamSurfHailSafeguard
You Win
Cloyster
Lv 51
WaterIce
Shell Armor
SpikesProtectHailDive
Even
Slowbro
Lv 52
WaterPsychic
Oblivious
Ice BeamSurfAmnesiaYawn
Even
Jynx
Lv 54
IcePsychic
Oblivious
Ice PunchDouble SlapLovely KissAttract
Even
Lapras
Lv 54
WaterIce
Water AbsorbImmune to Water attacks
Confuse RayIce BeamSurfBody Slam
Bruno
Elite Four
Strong

Starmie resists most of Bruno's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Onix
Lv 51
RockGround
Rock Head
EarthquakeRock TombIron TailRoar
Easy KO
Hitmonchan
Lv 53
Fighting
Keen Eye
Sky UppercutMach PunchRock TombCounter
Easy KO
Hitmonlee
Lv 53
Fighting
Limber
Mega KickForesightBrick BreakFacade
Easy KO
Onix
Lv 54
RockGround
Rock Head
Double EdgeEarthquakeIron TailSand Tomb
Easy KO
Machamp
Lv 56
Fighting
Guts
Cross ChopBulk UpScary FaceRock Tomb
Agatha
Elite Four
Strong

Starmie resists most of Agatha's coverage and hits back hard.

Easy KO
Gengar
Lv 54
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow PunchConfuse RayToxicDouble Team
Easy KO
Golbat
Lv 54
PoisonFlying
Inner Focus
Confuse RayPoison FangAir CutterBite
Easy KO
Haunter
Lv 53
GhostPoison
Levitate
HypnosisDream EaterCurseMean Look
Easy KO
Arbok
Lv 56
Poison
Intimidate
Sludge BombScreechIron TailBite
You Win
Gengar
Lv 58
GhostPoison
Levitate
Shadow BallSludge BombHypnosisNightmare
Lance
Elite Four
Good

Starmie has the type edge here and should clean up Lance's team.

You Win
Gyarados
Lv 56
WaterFlying
Intimidate
Hyper BeamDragon RageTwisterBite
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardDragon RageOutrage
You Win
Dragonair
Lv 54
Dragon
Shed Skin
Hyper BeamSafeguardThunder WaveOutrage
You Win
Aerodactyl
Lv 58
RockFlying
Rock Head
Hyper BeamAncient PowerWing AttackScary Face
You Win
Dragonite
Lv 60
DragonFlying
Inner Focus
Hyper BeamSafeguardOutrageWing Attack
Terry
Champion
Good

Starmie has the type edge here and should clean up Terry's team.

You Win
Heracross
Lv 72
BugFighting
Swarm
MegahornEarthquakeCounterRock Tomb
Even
Alakazam
Lv 73
Psychic
Synchronize
PsychicShadow BallCalm MindReflect
You Win
Tyranitar
Lv 72
RockDark
Sand Stream
CrunchEarthquakeThunderboltAerial Ace
Easy KO
Arcanine
Lv 73
Fire
Intimidate
Extreme SpeedOverheatAerial AceIron Tail
Even
Exeggutor
Lv 73
GrassPsychic
Chlorophyll
Giga DrainPsychicSleep PowderLight Screen
Even
Blastoise
Lv 75
Water
Torrent
Hydro PumpIce BeamEarthquakeRain Dance
Catchable
Available after Badge 4
Type
Water
Tier
E

Catch Staryu on Pallet Town (Super Rod fishing, Lv 15-25, common).

View Staryu locations

Recommended Moves
  • After Misty
    • TM03WaterWater Pulse90100%20
    • LV 28WaterBubble Beam98100%20
  • After Erika
    • TM24ElectricThunderbolt90100%15
  • After Koga
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
  • After Sabrina
    • TM29PsychicPsychic90100%10
    • LV 46WaterHydro Pump16580%5
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20
Evolve Staryu to Starmie
Use Water Stone
Type
WaterPsychic
Tier
S

You can buy the Water Stone at the Celadon Department Store on the 4th floor (₽2,100). 1 other location is also available.

Recommended Moves
  • After Erika
    • TM15NormalHyper Beam15090%5
    • TM13IceIce Beam90100%10
    • TM24ElectricThunderbolt90100%15
  • After Sabrina
    • TUTORPsychicDream Eater150100%15
    • TM29PsychicPsychic135100%10
  • After Koga
    • HM03WaterSurf135100%15
  • After Giovanni
    • TUTORNormalDouble-Edge120100%15
  • Post-Game
    • HM07WaterWaterfall120100%15
    • TM42NormalFacade70100%20

How to Get Staryu in FireRed & LeafGreen

LeafGreen exclusive, Super Rod only. Staryu has seven fishing encounters at common rates across six water spots.

LeafGreen Exclusive — Trade with FireRed for Shellder

Wild Staryu may be holding when caught:

Stardust (50% chance) A pretty red sand with a loose, silky feel. It can be sold at a high price.
Star Piece (5% chance) A shard of a pretty gem that sparkles in a red color. It can be sold at a high price.

6 locations to catch Staryu

Encountered via fishing with a Rod

Badge 1
Badge 2
Badge 3
Badge 4
Badge 5
Badge 6
Badge 7
Badge 8
Post-Game

Where To Catch Staryu in FRLG

Staryu is your first catch on the way to Staryu. You'll find fishing encounters from Lv. 15-25 across 7 total spots in the chain.

  1. Starmie
    Step 2Evolve into Starmie
    BREEDING
    Available
    Leave a compatible parent at the Four Island Pokemon Day Care to receive a Starmie egg. Requires the Rainbow Pass to access Four Island.

Staryu Weakness

Staryu is weak to Electric and Grass. It resists 4 types, giving it decent defensive coverage. Only 2 weaknesses makes it relatively easy to build around defensively.

Staryu Weakness and Resistance Chart
DamageTypes
2x (Weak)Electric, Grass
0.5x (Resist)Fire, Water, Ice, Steel
Gen III Type Chart
  • Dark and Steel types added — Fairy does not exist yet
  • Moves are Physical or Special based on type, not per move

What is Staryu Weak Against

Good
2Weak
4Resist
0Immune
Score0
4xCritical
None
¼xResist
None
0xImmune
None

What is Staryu Strong Against

3Strong
3Resisted
0Immune
Score0
½xResisted
0xImmune
None

Best Pokemon Against Staryu

Staryu Evolutions

Evolving Staryu into Starmie takes an evolution item. It's not a simple level-up, so check the chain details below. Evolving adds up to 180 stat points total. View every chain in the Evolution Chart.

How to Evolve

2 Forms
Stat Comparison 2 Stages
Staryu
Water
Starmie
WaterPsychic
HP
30
60+30
ATK
45
75+30
DEF
55
85+30
SP.ATK
70
100+30
SP.DEF
55
85+30
SPE
85
115+30
BST
340D-Tier
520B-Tier+180
ROLE
Balanced
Sweeper
TYPE
Special
Special

Breeding

Challenging

Staryu is genderless and can only breed with Ditto. Part of the Water3 egg group.

Egg Groups
Gender
GenderlessDittoDitto only
Hatch Time
20 cycles·5,140 steps
Quick~5 min with Flame Body

FRLG Staryu Best Moveset

85 Speed and 70 Sp. Atk previewing Starmie's power, with AbilityNatural Cure clearing status on switch-out. One evolution from one of the format's best movesets.

Best Build

Experimental
Special Sweeper
Ability
Natural Cure
Item
Focus Band
Best Nature for Staryu
Timid+SPE

Staryu best EVs are Sp. Atk and Speed

EVs

Special Sweeper Moveset

  • RecoverRecovery
  • ThunderboltCoverage
  • PsychicCoverage
  • Hydro PumpSTAB

Moves List

Staryu develops a solid moveset just through leveling. Hydro Pump and Blizzard show up naturally, and the progression handles both STAB and utility without leaning on TMs for the core attacks.

Level-Up Moves

Lv 1
Harden
A30Normal
Lv 1
Tackle
D3510035Normal
Lv 6
Water Gun
D6010025Water
Lv 10
Rapid Spin
D5010040Normal
Lv 15
Recover
S20Normal
Lv 19
Camouflage
20Normal
Lv 24
Swift
6020Normal
Lv 28
Bubble Beam
C9710020Water
Lv 33
Minimize
20Normal
Lv 37
Light Screen
C30Psychic
Lv 42
Cosmic Power
D20Psychic
Lv 46
Hydro Pump
B180805Water

TM Moves

TM
TM14
Blizzard
D120705Ice
TM
Dive
D9010010Water
TM32
Double Team
15Normal
TM42
Facade
D7010020Normal
HM05
Flash
7020Normal
TM21
Frustration
D10020Normal
TM07
Hail
10Ice
TM10
Hidden Power
6010015Normal
TM13
Ice Beam
C9510010Ice
TM16
Light Screen
C30Psychic
TM17
Protect+4
C10Normal
TM29
Psychic
B9010010Psychic
TM18
Rain Dance
C5Water
TM33
Reflect
C20Psychic
TM44
Rest
C10Psychic
TM27
Return
D10020Normal
TM43
Secret Power
7010020Normal
HM03
Surf
A14210015Water
TM25
Thunder
D1207010Electric
TM24
Thunderbolt
B9510015Electric
TM06
Toxic
C8510Poison
TM03
Water Pulse
A9010020Water
HM07
Waterfall
D12010015Water

Egg Moves

Staryu doesn't have any Egg moves

Tutor Moves

Tut
Tutor
Double-Edge
D12010015Normal
Tutor
Mimic
D10Normal
Tutor
Substitute
C10Normal
Tutor
Thunder Wave
C10020Electric

Base Stats

Base Stats
Avg
HP30
F
Attack45
D
Defense55
D
Sp. Atk70
C
Sp. Def55
D
Speed85
C
Total340
Details
Catch Rate
Easy225 / 255
Growth Rate
Slow1.25M XP
Height0.8 m
Weight34.5 kg
Base XP68
Abilities
Illuminate
Doubles the wild encounter rate.
Natural Cure
Cures any major status ailment upon switching out.
EV Yield
HPAtkDefSpASpDSpe+1
Speed training source
Pokedex Entry

It appears in large numbers by seashores. At night, its central core flashes with a red light.

An enigmatic POKéMON that can effortlessly regenerate any appendage it loses in battle.

Staryu FireRed & LeafGreen Guide

  • Should I evolve Staryu early or late?

    Wait until Staryu reaches Lv. 46 before using the Water Stone. Evolving earlier permanently locks Staryu out of Bubble Beam, Cosmic Power, and Hydro Pump, moves Starmie cannot relearn.

    Staryu sprite
    1. Lv. 28learns Bubble Beam
    2. Lv. 42learns Cosmic Power
    3. Lv. 46learns Hydro Pump
    4. Lv. 46+Use the Water Stone
  • How do I evolve Staryu into Starmie in FireRed & LeafGreen?

    Buy a Water Stone to evolve Staryu into Starmie.

    Water Stone

    Evolves Staryu into Starmie

    Celadon Department Store 4F₽2,100

  • Is Staryu exclusive to LeafGreen or FireRed?

    Staryu is exclusive to Pokemon LeafGreen. FireRed players have to trade for one.

    Pokemon LeafGreen cover art

    LeafGreen exclusive

    Trade with a player who has Pokemon LeafGreen to obtain Staryu.

    See the Locations section above for where to find Staryu in LeafGreen.

    How to trade in FireRed and LeafGreen

    GBA cartridges: You need a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable and both players' FireRed/LeafGreen cartridges. Trade at the Cable Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, which opens up shortly after Oak gives you the Pokedex.
    Nintendo Switch (2026 release): Trading uses local wireless only. There is no online play, and no Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required. Both players head to the Pokemon Wireless Club on the 2nd floor of any Pokemon Center, then step into a Union Room. Up to four other players can join. Available once you have the Pokedex from Professor Oak.

Game Availability

Staryu has been part of the series since Red & Blue, appearing in 20 titles across all 10 generations. As a Gen 1 original, it's one of the most consistently available Pokemon in the franchise.

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